In addition to financial aid in the form of grants, loans, work-study and scholarships, prospective and current graduate students may be eligible to apply for graduate assistantships (GA) or graduate research assistantships (GRA). This form of financial support is available to fully matriculated students through the individual colleges, which post the positions for the following academic year. The level of support for these assistantships as well as the requirements and expectations vary from college to college. However, the main characteristics of each are detailed below.

Graduate Assistant (GA)

Graduate Assistants are graduate students who provide academic and program support. GA responsibilities may be administrative in nature, consisting of duties that typically are not related to teaching or research. Such activities may include assisting with the administration of student services, participating in student recruiting, assisting in program planning, and advising undergraduate student groups. GA responsibilities may also be academic in nature, which may include assisting instructors with laboratory sessions and assignments, setting up displays for lectures or laboratory sections, preparing or maintaining equipment used in laboratory sections, and assisting researchers with the collection of data and bibliography. However, Graduate Assistants are not allowed to participate in instruction. Graduate Assistantships can be granted as full- or part-time during one single academic year (fall and spring terms).

A full-time GA requires a 20-hour per week commitment and receives tuition remission for 9 credits of course work related to his/her major or program, and a stipend each semester.

A part-time GA requires a 10-hour per week commitment and receives tuition remission for 6 credits of course work related to his/her major or program, and a stipend each semester.

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)

Graduate Research Assistants are graduate students conducting academically significant research under the direction of a faculty member, who is generally a principal investigator on an external grant or contract. GRAs are awarded by departments and professors who are engaged in research projects and provide exciting opportunities to participate in new and ongoing research activities conducted at Rowan University. Since GRAs are typically funded by sponsored research grants, the stipend and tuition compensation level may vary with the nature of the grant.

Available Assistantships

Graduate students interested in GAs and GRAs must consult with the college in which they are pursuing their degree. However, colleges and departments may also provide support to students pursuing degrees in disciplines outside those colleges and departments. The links for each college are provided below. In these pages students will find: (a) available opportunities for a given academic year, (b) description of the assistantship and required qualifications, (c) level of tuition remission and stipend, (d) deadline for application, and (e) college representative contact information.

Applying for an Assistantship

Eligibility

Any student who has been fully accepted into a program leading to a graduate degree as a traditionally enrolled student (on the Rowan campuses) is eligible to apply for an assistantship. Therefore, a student who wishes to apply for a Graduate Assistantship should allow sufficient time for admissions credentials to be assembled and processed. On the other hand, the granting of a Graduate Research Assistantship may be the result of a negotiation between the faculty/principal investigator and the prospective student prior to the student applying for admission to the program. In this case, however, the student must be fully accepted into the graduate program to officially be granted the position. Eligible students are invited to complete an application for all available assistantship positions. Student applications are reviewed by the University Colleges beginning on May 1st of each academic year. All hiring decisions are made by the College/Department.

Submitting an Application

All students, regardless of the college and nature of the assistantship must complete and submit the following forms to the Office of Office of Graduate Research Services:

By mail or in person to the address below:Office of Graduate Research ServicesRowan UniversitySouth Jersey Technology Park107 Gilbreth Parkway, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062

Submitting Multiple Applications

Students who are interested in more than one available position must complete an application form for each specific position. However, students who would like to be considered for all available positions should complete a single application and indicate “Any” or “All” on their application form. Students submitting multiple applications need only submit (1) copy of their current resume and GA/GRA recommendation forms (2).

Returning Students

Students interested in extending their assistantship to a second year, must complete and submit a new GA/GRA Application Form to the Office of Graduate Research Services. However, it is not necessary to submit two new letters of recommendation and a current resume. Once an award is made, it is the responsibility of the student to bring a new Terms and Conditions of Appointment Form to their Hiring Supervisor.

Employment Forms

Once an award is made, it is the responsibility of the student to submit the following forms and materials to their hiring supervisor:

Students must also present appropriate forms of ID from the List of Acceptable Documents found on the last page of the I-9 Form to their hiring supervisor

Copy of social security card (This is required for all students if not already submitted as a form of ID for the I-9 form)

International students must also provide copies of passport, visa, and social security card

The hiring supervisor will: (a) make copies of the student’s form(s) of identification, (b) complete and sign the I-9 Form, (c) complete and sign the Terms and Conditions of Employment Form, and (d) have the student sign the Terms and Conditions of Employment Form.

The hiring supervisor will then forward all employment paperwork to the Office of Graduate Research Services: I-9, along with copies of the student’s form(s) of identification; W-4; Direct Deposit Form; and Terms and Conditions of Employment Form.

NOTE: For students who are re-hired, a new Terms and Conditions of Employment Form is required. If a new I-9 form must be completed, the Office of Graduate Research Services will notify the student and the hiring manager. Otherwise, unless the student would like to make a change to their tax withholding (W-4) or Direct Deposit information, no other employment forms are necessary for returning students.

Terms & Conditions

Graduate Assistantships

Typically, Graduate Assistantships are awarded for a single academic year running through fall and spring academic semesters. Exceptions to this rule will be considered by the colleges on a case by case basis, and will be subject to certain conditions. Students wishing to extend an assistantship to a second academic year will be required to re-apply.

Stipend pay periods run from September 1st to June 30th.

All university fees associated with course credit hours are the responsibility of the student.

Normally, GA work assignments take place during regular business hours. However, temporary work assignments may be made in the evenings or on weekends to meet special needs.

GAs are not required to work on formally declared federal or state holidays. Those wishing to observe other religious holidays should make the necessary arrangements with their work supervisors.

GAs who are absent during their regular scheduled work assignments are expected to make up lost time.

GAs are generally not expected to work during term break (December-January) and spring break (mid March). However, GAs are expected to work during final examination week and during the period between Commencement and June 30th.

Full-time GAs are subject to the following terms and conditions:

Full-time GAs are required to maintain full-time status of a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester during the fall and spring semesters. Only courses that apply to the degree are eligible for the tuition remission. Full-time GAs may take more than 9 credits of coursework. However, the tuition beyond the 9 credits may not be waived and can become the responsibility of the student. For further information on this topic the student must inquire with the respective college.

A full-time GA is expected to work a maximum of 20 hours per week.

GAs must carry a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

GAs must perform the assigned duties and responsibilities successfully. GAs who fail to honor these commitments are subject to termination.

Part-time GAs are subject to the following terms and conditions:

Part-time GAs are required to maintain 6 credit hours per semester during the fall and spring semesters. Only courses that apply to the degree are eligible for the tuition remission.

A part-time GA is expected to work a maximum of 10 hours per week.

GAs must carry a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

GAs must perform the assigned duties and responsibilities successfully. GAs who fail to honor these commitments are subject to termination.

GAs who are terminated or who resign before the end of the period of appointment are subject to the following:

If the termination or resignation is effective at the end of the semester, but prior to the end of the period of the work assignment, the stipend will cease upon the date of termination or resignation; however, the tuition waiver for the current semester will not be in jeopardy. The student will forfeit any tuition waiver and stipends for the succeeding semesters.

If the termination or resignation becomes effective at any time during the fall or spring semester, the student will be responsible for that semester's tuition that has been waived. The stipend will cease with the effective date of termination or resignation.

GAs who are terminated are not eligible to re-apply.

Graduate Research Assistantships

The terms and conditions for GRAs vary from project to project. Therefore, inquiries should be made to the corresponding faculty member or department.

Due to the nature of research, Graduate Research Assistants may be required to be available outside of normal working hours as agreed upon prior to accepting the position.

GRA’s will be required to register for and complete a minimum number of graduate course credit hours per semester as specified by the supervisor and the Office of Graduate Research Services.

GRAs must carry a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

GRAs must perform the assigned duties and responsibilities successfully. GRAs who fail to honor these commitments are subject to termination.

GRAs who are terminated or who resign before the end of the period of appointment are subject to the following:

If the termination or resignation is effective at the end of the semester, but prior to the end of the period of the work assignment, the stipend will cease upon the date of termination or resignation; however, the tuition waiver for the current semester will not be in jeopardy. The student will forfeit any tuition waiver and stipends for the succeeding semesters.

If the termination or resignation becomes effective at any time during the fall or spring semester, the student will be responsible for that semester's tuition that has been waived. The stipend will cease with the effective date of termination or resignation.

GRAs who are terminated are not eligible to re-apply.

Contact Information

For faculty and student inquiries regarding GAs and GRAs, for questions related to employment forms and issues, and for submission of applications please contact:

Sarah Piddington
Assistant Vice President for Research
Division of University Researchpiddington@rowan.edu

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